By Nadia Ntiamoah
Ghanaian international footballer and Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, is facing six separate charges of serious sexual offences following a UK court hearing that concluded this week.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC outlined the charges, which involve three different complainants and span incidents alleged to have occurred between April 2021 and June 2022 in both the United Kingdom and Spain.
Charge 1: Anal Rape – Complainant 1
The first charge alleges that between April 2021 and May 2021, while engaging in consensual vaginal intercourse, Partey penetrated Complainant 1’s anus with his penis without her consent.
The alleged incident was reported to police in February 2022, leading to his arrest and interview in July that year.
Charge 2: Multiple Incidents of Anal Rape – Complainant 1
The second charge, also involving Complainant 1, covers the period between April 2021 and June 2021. It is alleged that on at least four occasions, Partey inserted his penis into her anus without consent. This matter led to a voluntary police interview in November 2024.
Charge 3: Vaginal Rape – Complainant 2
In December 2021, Complainant 2 claims that Partey asked her for sex, and despite her refusal, he penetrated her vagina with his penis without her consent.
The allegation was reported to police in February 2025, after which Partey attended a voluntary interview in March 2025.
Charge 4: Anal Rape – Complainant 2
The fourth charge alleges that in February 2022, Partey asked Complainant 2 for anal sex, and after she declined, he penetrated her anus with his penis regardless.
This allegation was first reported to police in September 2022, but was not put to Partey during his March 2025 voluntary interview.
Charge 5: Vaginal Rape in Spain – Complainant 2
The fifth charge involves an alleged incident in Marbella, Spain, in June 2022. Complainant 2 claims Partey raped her vaginally without consent. He was interviewed about the matter in July 2022.
Charge 6: Sexual Assault – Complainant 3
The sixth and final charge relates to an alleged sexual assault on Complainant 3 in February 2022. It is claimed that when she visited Partey’s address, he lay on top of her, tried to kiss her, and touched her body over her clothing without consent.
She reportedly resisted by pushing him off, and after a couple of minutes, he stopped. Partey attended a voluntary interview in February 2023 about this allegation.
Background
Thomas Partey, 32, is a prominent figure in international football, having played for Atlético Madrid before signing with Arsenal in 2020 in a high-profile transfer.
He has also been a key player for the Ghana national team. The charges come after multiple police investigations spanning several years, with allegations surfacing from different jurisdictions.
The nature of the allegations means the case has drawn significant public and media attention in both the UK and Ghana, raising questions about its potential impact on his career.
Thomas Partey has not yet entered formal pleas to the charges, and his legal team has indicated he intends to contest the allegations.
The one-week hearing has now concluded, and further court dates are expected to be scheduled in the coming months. If found guilty, Partey could face lengthy custodial sentences.
